Nat’l flag-carrier airline reveals local project tied to China’s ‘Air Silk Road’

AVIATION officials and industry insiders are praising a new domestic project linked to Beijing’s “Air Silk Road” (ASR) strategy – itself associated with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) – to be managed by Cambodia’s flag-carrier airline with the main goal of turning Phnom Penh and Siem Reap province into top travel destinations for Chinese and ASEAN holidaymakers.

Details of the project were presented at a December 16 event by Cambodia Angkor Air chairman Tekreth Samrach, among other expansion plans for the airline. The ASR primarily aims to enhance connectivity, boost trade and economic cooperation, and cultivate a sustainable aviation economy.

Samrach said that the project would boost connectivity between the two localities and China as well as unspecified target ASEAN countries, with a focus on tourism.

In 2023, the airline plans to launch commercial flights to Singapore as well as to Haikou, Hangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing in China; add at least one ATR72 and Airbus A320 to its fleet; and increase annual flights and passenger capacity by 10,000 and 650,000, respectively, compared to 2022, he revealed.

“The most difficult period for our Cambodia Angkor Air has come to an end, and we are looking forward to a brighter future, faster growth and expansion of flights, to bring a new culture as well as Khmer civilisation to the world,” he said.

State Secretariat of Civil Aviation spokesman Sin Chansereyvutha praised the national carrier’s plans to bring in Chinese and regional tourists, as the Covid-19 situation eases and becomes more manageable.

“We want to attract Chinese tourists to our country again, since the Chinese government is now easing Covid restrictions, much like many other countries, hence it is necessary for us to promote to and lure in Chinese tourists again.

“That’s why we’ve set up this project, because the new shareholder who now holds a majority stake in our national airline, Cambodia Angkor Air, already has experience and a market in China. So, this project will be organised by Cambodia Angkor Air and we welcome the plan,” he said, without naming the “shareholder”.

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Cambodia chapter chairman Thourn Sinan expressed optimism that Cambodia Angkor Air’s plans would significantly enhance the Kingdom’s connectivity with the Chinese and other regional markets.

“I support this project because it is important for Cambodia to connect with countries in the ASEAN region, especially big countries like Indonesia. I hope that if we follow this plan, we will be able to attract more tourists from both the region and China,” he told The Post on December 21.